Girls, 16, hope to support cancer research while setting world record

This is an undated handout photo Ashleigh Shaddix (left) and Samantha Morton (right) have teamed up to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by attempting to set a world record. An unofficial record was set by Morton at Lake Weir for one hour and 3 minutes on 9/15/13. The girls must continuously surf a wave, without falling down, without a rope, behind a specialized boat, which creates a large wave. Nathan Stockman, owner of Transition Watersports as well as host and judge of wake surfing tournaments and Lt. Col. Baranowski from the Forest High School Air Force JROTC will serve as official witnesses. The tentative date for the attempt is either October 21 or 22; dependent on weather conditions.

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

Published: Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 6:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 6:25 p.m.

After Samantha Morton surfed non-stop across Lake Weir this summer, she and her stepsister Ashleigh Shaddix wondered what the world record was for continuous wakesurfing.

This is an undated handout photo Ashleigh Shaddix (left) and Samantha Morton (right) have teamed up to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by attempting to set a world record. An unofficial record was set by Morton at Lake Weir for one hour and 3 minutes on 9/15/13. The girls must continuously surf a wave, without falling down, without a rope, behind a specialized boat, which creates a large wave. Nathan Stockman, owner of Transition Watersports as well as host and judge of wake surfing tournaments and Lt. Col. Baranowski from the Forest High School Air Force JROTC will serve as official witnesses. The tentative date for the attempt is either October 21 or 22; dependent on weather conditions.

Turns out there is no women's record. So, the 16-year-old Forest High School students decided to set one.

On Oct. 21, the girls will each set out onto Lake Weir for the attempt, which also will raise money for breast cancer research.

Wakesurfing is a relatively new watersport. The surfer rides the wake created by a specially modified boat. While the rider is towed by a rope at the start of the run, once they are up on the wake, the rope is dropped and the rider is on their own.

"My goal is for three hours," said Samantha, who started wakesurfing when she was 10.

The current record is 3 hours and 55 minutes, and covered 41.3 miles. It was set in 2011 when Gary Saavedra surfed the length of the Panama Canal.

The girls are best friends, besides sisters. Both pole vault, and they have classes together. But during the record attempt, the best friends will become competitors.

"We're both pretty competitive. It will definitely be bittersweet if she beats me, but I'll be happy for her. I know she will feel the same if I go longer," Ashleigh said.

The two girl's have different styles of wakesurfing.

Samantha is more focused on staying steady in the wake. Ashleigh likes to take more chances, trying tricks and different maneuvers.

During the record attempt though, both will have to think strictly about endurance.

"I'm going to have to keep calm and not freak out or panic. I'll just try to keep centered," Ashleigh said.

Samantha is more focused on using as little energy as possible during the attempt.

"You really need to have your body balanced in a certain way to find that sweet spot in the wake. I want to let the wake do most of the work," she said.

Both girls have practiced extensively. Samantha made an unofficial run recently and surfed for 1 hour and 3 minutes. She said the hardest thing was negotiating the wakes from other boats on the lake. Turns also have to be made wide and deliberate, to keep the wake rideable.

The attempt will be observed by two impartial witnesses and will be submitted to Guinness World Records for its approval. If weather is an issue, the attempt will be pushed to Oct. 22.

Because the attempt is set for October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they decided to use the opportunity to raise money for the Women's Cancer Research Fund at the University of Florida. The disease has touched both of the girl's families, including Ashleigh's aunt.

Anyone wanting to donate can send checks or money orders — made out to the University of Florida Foundation and including "Women's Cancer Research Fund" in the memo line — to Samantha Morton, 3975 SE 43rd Circle, Ocala, FL 34480.

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